Tim Cook on Windows 8: Converging a ‘Toaster and a Refrigerator’

David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images(NEW YORK) -- If you had any concerns that Apple CEO Tim Cook might not be able to provide Steve Jobs-like one-liners on earnings calls, think again. Following the announcement of its blowout earnings, Tim Cook took questions from analysts on everything from iPhone sales to Apple’s iPad and laptop offerings.

And it was on that last point that Cook had a lot to say. When asked if Apple was planning to merge its tablet and laptop products, much as Microsoft is proceeding with Windows 8, Cook responded with a quip: “You can converge a toaster and a refrigerator, but those aren’t going to be pleasing to the user.”

Cook elaborated that converging the iPad with a laptop would result in tradeoffs, ones Apple isn’t willing to make. “We are not going to that party, but others might from a defensive point of view.”

On top of that, Cook highlighted both Apple’s separate tablet and laptop offerings. “The tablet market is going to be huge....As the ecosystem gets better and better and we continue to double down on making great products, I think the limit here is nowhere in sight,” Cook said.

“I also believe there is a good market for the Macbook Air and we continue to innovate in that product. I think it appeals to someone who has different requirements. You wouldn’t want to put these things together.”